Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke died Thursday morning at the University of Utah Hospital from injuries sustained in a training accident at Park City Mountain Resort last week.

“Sarah passed away peacefully surrounded by those she loved,” wrote Iris Yen, vice president of communications and public relations at Quiksilver, in a press release later in the day.

“As the result of Sarah’s fall, she suffered a ruptured vertebral artery, one of the four major arteries supplying blood to the brain,” wrote Yen. “The rupture of this artery led to a severe intracranial hemorrhage, which caused Sarah to go into cardiac arrest on the scene.”

Emergency personnel administered CPR and she was placed on life support.

SARAH BURKE PHOTO GALLERY

The injured artery was repaired on Jan. 11 but after the operation, it was determined that she had suffered “severe irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood after cardiac arrest.”

A celebration of Burke’s life will be held in the coming weeks, according to the press release.

The freestyle ski community is reeling from the news.

“She was just someone so larger than life. It’s very hard to imagine she's not with us anymore,” said Peter Judge, CEO Canadian Freestyle Ski Association telephone interview.

“I guess even knowing there was a pretty significant chance this might be the outcome, you're obviously left without words and with significant emotion.”

One of the Canadian coaches is Trennon Paynter, Burke’s longtime coach and the head coach of the Canadian Olympic freestyle half pipe team.

“Trennon’s very close to Rory and her family and is very shaken,” said Judge. “It’s going to take some significant time and some resources in terms of people help to get through this right now. Our hearts are with her family and her husband Rory.”

Judge said Burke leaves a rich legacy with her impressive wins and the way she carried herself off the mountain.

I met Sarah once, at the old Snow Jam events. I forget which stop it was at - and it may have even been the Toronto one. It's so sad, because she was a very nice, genuine girl. Being a snowboard coach, I'm really close to this world, and it's so crazy the line between landing a trick successfully, and ...well... yeah.

Thoughts go out to her friends and family right now.

Acie

01-20-2012 12:13 AM

Sad news.

Superjudge

01-20-2012 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barracuda
(Post 602397)

She donated her organs.

I want her hips!

Superjudge

01-20-2012 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSWC
(Post 602409)

I met Sarah once, at the old Snow Jam events. I forget which stop it was at - and it may have even been the Toronto one. It's so sad, because she was a very nice, genuine girl. Being a snowboard coach, I'm really close to this world, and it's so crazy the line between landing a trick successfully, and ...well... yeah.

Thoughts go out to her friends and family right now.

Thats what I always heard about her, during the Olympics they were talking to her, she was always smiling, always. We need more people like that... guess it starts at home right.

I'm gonna smile more.

DSWC

01-20-2012 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superjudge
(Post 602453)

Thats what I always heard about her, during the Olympics they were talking to her, she was always smiling, always. We need more people like that... guess it starts at home right.

I'm gonna smile more.

It wasn't an act, either. She genuinely had one of those smiles that could light up a room! She was such a positive person, and ALWAYS seemed to be smiling…the kind of person you'd always just want to be around.